Bobbie's legacy

Opinion: Letters To The Editor

Tuesday, May 14th, 2019 4:31 PM

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Bobbie Raymond was a pioneer and significant contributor to Oak Park's attempt at racial integration. Her death is a major loss for all those interested in this unique experiment. The Housing Center, her invention, made Oak Park different from other "so-called" integrated communities where the black population is often confined to a restricted area. The Housing Center encourages its black clients to look at apartments in all parts of the village, especially in predominately white areas. The result helped to transform Oak Park into a geographically integrated place. Bobbie's legacy is a delicate one in that the battle for racial equality is one that needs constant attention. Hopefully, Oak Parkers will acknowledge her legacy by continuing this battle.

Jay Ruby, OPRF class of 1953, emeritus professor at Temple University, conducted an ethnographic study of Oak Park in 1999-2000, that included the Oak Park Regional Housing Center. The results of this research is available as "Oak Park Stories" online. He stayed with Bobbie Raymond during his study.

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